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Weekly letter

The fourth issue of our newspaper is here!

Stories about the invention of the dramaturg's profession, life in and outside the theatre, Berlin's massively cut cultural budget, art in conflict regions - and the state of the world. Weekly Newsletter #42

Team Gessnerallee, 18 June 2025

Dear visitors to Gessnerallee, dear artists

The first season under the theatre direction of Kathrin Veser and Miriam Walther is drawing to a close, and with it the first year of the Gessnerallee Zeitung. We look back on an exciting, intense and fulfilling time. Conclusion: It's time to celebrate. In this fourth issue, the artistic directors share their thoughts in an interim review. And author and dramaturge Nele Solf shares with us an anecdote about their first thoughts on the new Gessnerallee newspaper. This goes back to the birth of the dramaturg's profession and, for some, even the feuilleton.

At the beginning of June, we celebrated the premiere of LAB Junges Theater Zürich's production ‘Begehren’ and this week we celebrated the second anniversary of Brücki 235, Zurich's uncurated space, with a short piece festival. Author and journalist Anna Miller has captured the stories of participating LAB youngsters about life in and out of the theatre in three touching portraits. And journalist Aleksandra Hiltmann met Liliane Koch, one of the founders of Brücki 235, and gives us an insight into a place that has become the focal point of the work of many independent dance, theatre and performance artists from Zurich.

Speaking of Zurich - a change of direction is imminent at the Neumarkt Theatre and the Schauspielhaus Zurich. The departing directors Hayat Erdoğan, Tine Milz, Julia Reichert and Ulrich Khuon share their thoughts on theatre with us in the column of the same name.

Not all change is the same. Since the 1990s, Berlin has been regarded as a point of orientation, even a beacon for theatre, dance and performance in the German-speaking world. Since the beginning of this year, the metropolis has been undergoing one of the most severe structural changes in a long time due to massive cuts in funding. This is also a concern for us here in Zurich. Journalist Caspar Shaller visited the city to get an idea of the situation after the first few months.

The cultural scientist and cultural manager Rana Yazaji reports on her work in the context of the artasfoundation in a specially placed bracket. The Swiss foundation for art in conflict regions investigates how spaces for art can contribute to conflict mediation and peacebuilding.

And last but not least, we are also pleased to present the recurring formats in this issue: Artist and musician Rada Leu once again delights us with a comic. Lighting technician Corinne Werffeli takes us into the world of stage technology with the play ‘In Case of Emergency’. Reporter Nathalie Anderegg from the inclusive media project ‘Reporter:innen ohne Barrieren’ writes about the concert ‘Residue of the Heart’ by Jalalu-Kalvert Nelson and Studio Dan. In the photo essay, we gain an insight into international dance creation at the ‘Dias da Dança’ dance festival in Porto. And the artist and theatre and disability scholar Nina Mühlemann shows us the last horoscopic future for the time being.

We are very much looking forward to the coming season and the second year of the Gessnerallee newspaper - but first, here is the programme overview until the summer break:

Programme

19, 20, 21 June, each 7 pm and 22 June, 6 pm

‘2 years of Brücki 235 - a short piece festival’ by Brücki 235 - space from the scene for the scene

With the festival ‘2 years of Brücki 235’, Zurich's dance and theatre scene moves into the Gessnerallee with a brilliant, diverse programme. This needs to be celebrated! More information

21 June, 3 to 7 pm

‘KAFi Q - summer edition’ - an inclusive performance café

People with and without disabilities meet at KAFi Q to make art, perform magic and dance together. The summer edition is all about TOGETHER ENJOYMENT. What does it take for everyone to enjoy a party? Find out more

28 June, from 3 pm

‘Time to celebrate’: end of the Gessnerallee season

Afternoon for all ages with drinks and snacks, vegetarian and non-vegetarian barbecue, music, house tours, craft corner and a mini costume and prop flea market. More information

Time to celebrate

We love the spotlight. Read the editorial again to find out in detail what the focal points of the current issue of our newspaper are. To the article

LOVE PLAY FIGHT and ‘Ein Ort für Nähe und Distanz’

In this format, different authors write about their ‘thoughts on theatre’. In the fourth issue of our newspaper, Hayat Erdoğan, Tine Milz and Julia Reichert from the Neumarkt Theatre and Ulrich Khuon from the Schauspielhaus look back on their directorships. To the article LOVE PLAY FIGHT (only in German) and to the article ‘Ein Ort für Nähe und Distanz’ (only in German)

Incidentally, the current issue of the newspaper is perfect for reading on holiday or in the pool. You can order it now at zeitung@gessnerallee.ch or buy it from us at the box office.

If you generally appreciate good cultural stories and a lovingly produced print newspaper, then we recommend a subscription. You can find all the information on our website.

Furthermore

Employee HR and Finance Administration 40%

We are looking for an Employee HR and Finance Administration from mid-August 2025. In this position, you will work closely with the Head of HR and Finance Administration Chloé Serres, among others, and will be responsible for administrative activities in the areas of finance and HR within the organisation. The closing date for applications is 25 June 2025. More information on the job advertisement

Production Manager 70-80%

We are looking for a Production Manager from mid-August 2025. In this position, you will work closely with the Head of Production Anja Mayer, among others, and will be responsible for the planning, implementation and accounting of the productions of Gessnerallee's theatre, dance and performance programme. The closing date for applications is 19 June 2025. More information on the job advertisement

Chef de Bar 80-120%

We are looking for a Chef de Bar from September 2025. In this position, you will be responsible for bar operations at Gessnerallee. You will ensure smooth operations and a welcoming atmosphere. The closing date for applications is 7 July 2025. More information on the job advertisement

We wish you sunny days and hope you enjoy reading.

The Gessnerallee team

Would you like to stay informed about events at the Gessnerallee? Subscribe to our weekly letter.

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«Do you have Armenian ancestors?»

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We regularly collaborate with editorial offices and other projects in the form of secondary publications for our newspaper. This time, cultural scientist and cultural manager Rana Yazaji describes her work in the context of artasfoundation. She provides insights into the complexity of the work of artists in conflict regions. Read

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